Date Ideas

Date Night Ideas For Parents: Summer Edition

Jen February 4, 2021 no Comments

If you are looking for tips on planning date nights, then head over to this post where I share all my best tips for getting mom and dad out the door and onto date night, plus I share fun winter date ideas for all budgets.

But if the snow has melted, the birds are chirping and you are looking for summer date night ideas for both staying in and going out, then keep reading!

Fun Date Night Ideas: Summer Edition

Dates for staying in

Free

Save your dinner for later (after the kids are in bed) and eat it picnic style while star gazing.
Exercise together in the back yard. Afterwards spray each other with the hose or run through the sprinkler to cool off.
Find your kids paints or watercolors and create a masterpiece. Sit outside and get inspiration from your surroundings. Explain your works of art as if they were pieces in a gallery.
If you have a swing set in your backyard, it’s not just for the kids! Either ask each other questions while you swing, or take turns reading out loud from a book you are both interested in.
Create a summer movie lineup and have a movie streaming marathon. Make a plate of nachos and a side of guacamole, or any other easy snack.
Watch the sunset. While you are waiting for sunset ask each other fun getting to know you questions.

Budget

Have a wine tasting, cheese tasting, chocolate tasting, etc. night. Try to sound professional in your explanation on how you picked your favorite.
Get take out delivered and watch your favorite show. To make this not be the same old, same old, build a fort and watch your show from there with all the lights off.
Make a bonfire. With that, buy the ingredients for s’mores but not just any s’mores, get creative and go beyond the classic. The Reese’s peanut butter cup is my favorite!
Try a dessert made to order for both of you. Ahead of time, each of you think of your favorite dessert, for example, cake, cookies, cupcake, brownie, etc. Along with that, think of your favorite flavor in a dessert, for instance, lemon, chocolate, raspberry, mint, coconut, etc. Then take your answers and create a dessert using that combination. Either start with a base recipe or totally wing it!
Have a cook off. See who can elevate a dish the best. For example, who can elevate a grilled cheese sandwich better.

Splurge

Do a progressive dinner delivery, but upscale. Set up an outdoor dining experience in your backyard, dress up and enjoy a 5 course meal that was delivered to you.
Work in the yard together. Ahead of time, design, plan and purchase materials for that big backyard project you have been dreaming about.
Turn your bedroom and bathroom into a high end hotel and spa. Get luxurious sheets and pillows for your bed. Buy new robes and high quality fabric pajamas. Pamper each other by taking turns giving pedicures and shoulder massages. Enjoy some room service delivered from your favorite take out restaurant while you binge Netflix.

Dates for going out

Free

Walk through a botanical garden. Take pictures of each other next to your favorite flowers.
Go for a hike to one of your towns best kept secrets. Maybe it’s a hidden waterfall or a trail that opens up into a field of wildflowers.
Instead of mini golf, try frisbee golf. Find a local park with a course and all you need is a frisbee.
Pack a cooler and go to the beach. With no kids along you can actually sit, relax, and people watch.
Take a relaxing afternoon walk either through town or around a lake. Enjoy a live concert in the park after your walk.

Budget

Rent a kayak at one of the local lakes. Afterwards relax at the beach for awhile and then go get some ice cream.
Go on a bike ride on a scenic paved trail. Plan it right so you can enjoy a sunset patio dinner after the ride.
Find out where the good food trucks are in your town. Get dinner at one and dessert at another.
Get up early and go berry picking. Before you head home, get breakfast at a local family owned place and then do some window shopping.
Visit the local farmer’s market. Buy some flowers or something new and unique to try. Afterwards find a café with patio seating to get brunch at.
Go see a movie at the drive in theater. Bring pillows, blankets and your favorite snacks.

Splurge

Go horseback riding. Find a place with beautiful views to enjoy while on the trail.
Hire a photographer to do a couples session. It’s rare that just mom and dad are in a picture together, let alone in a picture that one of the kids didn’t take.
Take a sunset dinner cruise. Enjoy good food you didn’t have to make and enjoy the sunset while someone else cleans up the kitchen.
Get dinner at a fancy restaurant with great reviews. Better yet, find one that also has rooftop seating.
Get a hotel for the night in the nearest big city. Pretend you are tourists and visit some of the attractions and eat at the most recommended places.